Orthodox Demonist Patriarchate of Belleville
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 Orthodox Demonist Patriarchate of Belleville | |
|---|---|
| Patriarcat Orthodoxe Démoniste de Belleville | |
 Notre-Dame de Belleville, headquarter of the Patiarch of Belleville and the Holy Synod. | |
| Abbreviation | ODPB |
| Classification | Orthodox |
| Orientation | Demonism |
| Scripture | New Testament, The Tears of Trifelis |
| Polity | Episcopal |
| Patriarch of Belleville | Alix I |
| Region | Cashari Island |
| Language | |
| Founder | Théophile I |
| Origin | 28 September 1812 |
| Separated from | Orthodox Patriarchate of Montcharmin |
| Members | circa 9 million |
| Other name(s) | Orthodox Demonist Church of Florentia |
The Orthodox Demonist Patriarchate of Belleville, also known as the Orthodox Demonist Church of Florentia, is a minor Christian Church of the Orthodox Communion. Although the ODPB reckognises the authority of the Ahranaian Ecumenical Patriarch as the first among equals, the Bellevillian Patriarch disagrees on several subjects, including sins, demons and the treatement of women and homosexuality in the Church, which led to the Patiarchate being excommunicated. The ODPB currently has around 9 million adherents, including those outside Florentian borders.
The ODPB having created Demonist Faith, the Patriarch of Belleville is the de facto leader of the this sub-branch of Christianity and has the authority to canonize myths, tales and spirits in the Demonist theology, based on the suggestion from the other demonist Patiarchates around the Wurld.
Theology and disagreements
The Orthodox Demonist Patiarchate of Belleville disagrees with the other Orthodox churches on several matters, leading to its excommunication in 1812.
Demons
In regular Orthodoxy, the Churches and their adherents do believe in demons. However, except the general explenation of demons representing the evil and sins, it is fewly detailed and simply considered as a mystery of God.
However, demonist theology seek to explain and categories demons. It is believed that most surnatural events, negative or beneficial, are from demons. Indeed, according to demonism, after Satan's revolt of evil against God, several demons regretted their choice and, willing to seek redemtpion to the Lord, got kicked out of Hell. Because of their very nature, those good demons couldn't be accepted in Paradise. Thus, God allowed them to serv him by being its representants on Eurth. The first demon to serv God is Trifelis (three cat in Aroman), whose history and redemtion is discribed in The Tears of Trifelis. He is considered as the Lieutenant of God among the Demons of Good and the guardian of Belleville.
While the ODPB still considers itself as under the authority of the Patriarchate of Ahrana, thus de jure considering the Patriarch of Ahrana as the spiritual leader of Orthodox Demonism, the Patiarch of Belleville is still the de facto spiritual leader. It has the power to decide the canonization of tales, legends, spirits, etc, as part of the Christian demonology. Thus, numerous spirits or ghosts from non-Florentian cultures and religions, like Esonian kitsunes or the Cashari Thunderbird for example, are canonized.
Sins
In demonism, sin is considered an integral part of life and only its excess is punishable :
- lust is associated with passionate love ;
- laziness with restful and deserved rest ;
- gluttony with refinement ;
- greed with the honest pursuit of money in order to share it with one's neighbour ;
- pride with the pursuit of personal fulfilment ;
- anger with the ardent and reasonable desire for justice ;
- envy with aspiration.
Good demons can use their powers, associated with sins, in reasonable proportions to protect humanity and serve God's purpose.
Offerings
In Christianity, offerings are limited to money donations. However, in demonism, it is highly regarded to make offerings to demons. Indeed, demons, good or evil, are faillible like humans and thus have a capricious nature. To calm and please them, adherents are encouraged to make offers depending on their individual wealth and the demon's tastes. Offerings can bring differents benefits, such as prosperity, good health, etc, while making no offers on special occasions can bring misfortune.
It is believed that the richer a person is, the more powerful misfortune will be if this person doesn't give an offering, because this person would abuse the sin of greed. To prevent impoverished adherents from being cursed, demonist churches provide free offerings on special occasion.
Homosexuality
Since 1913, Demonism considers homosexuality as a natural part of life. Thus, it homosexual persons can hold positions in the Patriarchate and weddings between homosexual persons are accepted. The reason is the following :
"God is perfection. He is absolute and everything on Eurth is part of his plan. Thus, homosexuality, which is naturally practiced in nature and by some humans themselves, cannot be an eror of the Lord. Homosexuality has a very defined reason to exist and we are simply unable to grasp the reason for it because God's plan is impervious to the limitations of the human mind. Thus, I see no reason to treat homosexual persons differently. It is even our duty to defend them against the hatred of others because Jesus preaches love, not hatred.", Conclusion on same gender love, XXIth Council of Belleville, 23th march of 1913
Women
Since the IVth council of Belleville, in 1834, women are allowed to hold positions in the Patiarchate.